Selling Tips

Setting The Right Price

Price is a key factor in every property sale. In almost every case price is the factor that comes under the greatest scrutiny during the buying process.

Occasionally there is a buyer who has the capability and the motivation to pay a premium price for the property they really want but these buyers only represent a small percentage of the market.

Deciding on the most suitable asking price for a property can be difficult. Buyers are looking for all types of real estate and their readiness to purchase, once they are assured of finance, is based to a large extent on the asking price. How to arrive at that price of what for most people is their largest asset should not be a case of trial and error.

Some people decide to ask a higher price on the basis that the price can always be moved down during negotiations, but it is impossible to raise it. However, a price which is obviously too high can kill interest right from the start, leaving a property to languish on the market, and attract negative response from potential buyers who may wonder if the property has a defect even.

Pricing is a complex exercise, and if overpriced, a property may sit on the market longer, in the end even selling for less than what the vendor may have obtained had the property been priced “right” when it was first offered for sale.

If you wish to make a reasonably quick sale, then the asking price should be close enough to the true value to allow it to sell if not at once, then to attract sufficient interest to give early prospective buyers something on which to base a possible compromise.

The ultimate price is based on several considerations, such as situation, size, age, condition, amenities, presentation of both the interior and the surroundings, and of course the activity in the current market.

Buyers are being selective, and they compare prices to be able to gauge ‘value’ to them. They also tend to look at more properties and take more time to make a decision. The property they eventually decide on will be the one that provides them with most of their requirements at a price they perceive to be fair market value.

It pays to ask your Harcourts consultant for an appraisal, as owners are not always a good judge of a property’s value. Some can be over-optimistic, while others pessimistic. The need to recognise this cannot be over-emphasised.

Your Harcourts consultant has current information about prices and property sold in the area. By experience, they know approximately how much each house will bring from the right type of buyer. If prices are set in accord with the current market conditions for the area, then properties have a good chance of attracting an enthusiastic buyer.

If you are selling, and setting the right price is important to you, talk to your Harcourts professional.

Spring Selling Tips

Spring is traditionally peak season in the property market and sellers should capitalise on the warmer weather and flowering environment in order to attract buyers. One thing that sellers should never underestimate is the importance of street appeal.

The tips below outline a few practical ways in which you can maximise your property’s street appeal and make the most of the buzzing Spring property market!

• Ensure that lawns and gardens are neat and tidy. Remove any weeds, make sure the grass is mowed, trim the hedges, and get rid of any dead plants or shrubs.

• Make sure the exterior of your house looks neat and appealing. This could be as simple as clearing the gutters, painting the front door and fence, updating your house numbers, or adding a stylish new letterbox.

• Brighten up the look of your garden by planting seasonal shrubs and flowers in garden beds and in neat pots at the front door.

• De-clutter the garden by removing any children’s toys or play-sets, pet kennels and gardening equipment.

• Clean pavements and driveways with a high-pressure hose in order to remove oil stains and marks.

Doing these few simple and inexpensive things will add instant street appeal to your property and ensure that buyers are immediately enticed!

Summer Selling Tips

It’s getting to be the hottest time of the year and as the sun comes out, so do the hats, cold drinks and backyard barbeques.

Summer is the season that most Australians long for all year and a season where many prospective buyers are braving the heat to look for their next home. Here are a few tips to make your home more summer-friendly to prospective buyers which will enhance the chance of that dream sale.

1. Using the right colours can add that fresh and cool look to your home. You don’t have to spend lots of money on repainting the walls – investing in bright, summery cushions and décor, fresh fruit and bright flowers will give your home that fresh, appealing edge.

2. Open your windows and sliding doors. Although air-conditioning feels great, some buyers don’t jump at the chance of having to deal with huge electricity bills to keep the house cool. The design of some homes may not allow for this, but allowing natural airflow through open windows and screens, with fans turned on at a low speed, can really enhance that cool, fresh feeling to your property.

3. Make sure the grass and garden is tidy. You may not know it, but unkempt grass and gardens can add a claustrophobic and shabby feel to your property. In hotter climates, maintaining a clean, low-density garden can add appeal for those buyers looking to escape the heat.

The best tip for selling this summer is to put on your ‘buyers shoes’ and take a look around your house as if you were inspecting it for the first time on a hot, sunny day.